Backyard Conservation and Forestry Training
To increase awareness of backyard conservation practices and motivate participants to conserve natural resources, GACDS is focusing on practices that can be applied in urban, suburban, and rural settings. The Backyard Conservation and Forestry Training Program is educating soil and water conservation district supervisors and students about water conservation, creating backyard wildlife habitat, vermicomposting, recycling, and other practices.
Natural Resources Conservation Workshop (NRCW)
GACDS and the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission taught the backyard conservation class at NRCW, Summer 2011. The class provided an overview on composting, with a focus on vermicomposting (composting with worms). Students learned the value of composting and how to create their own worm bins. At the end of the workshop one lucky student from each group was selected by his/her advisor to take the bin home.
J.J. Harris Elementary School Junior Master Gardeners
GACDS, the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission, and the Clarke County Cooperative Extension Service team up to provide ongoing Jr. Master Gardeners classes at J.J. Harris Elementary School in Athens, GA. 3rd-5th graders learn about container gardening, the best time to plant new seeds, the water cycle, soil properties and plant growth. Eleven students participate in the class each week, earning their Jr. Master Gardeners certificate at the end of the twelve week course.
Please contact us if you are interested in coordinating a Jr. Master Gardeners class for your school or club, or if you are a Master Gardener who would like to work with your local district to host the program.